Benicia bicyclist in critical condition after collision with wild turkeys

A 51-year-old Benicia man is in critical condition after he collided with a flock of wild turkeys while riding his bicycle in El Sobrante on Saturday, authorities said.

Craig Elstins was riding around 40 mph westbound on Alhambra Road around 7:45 a.m. when a flock of wild turkeys entered the road in front of him and he crashed, said Officer John Fransen, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Elstins flew off his bike and suffered major injuries including head trauma, broken ribs and a broken jaw. He was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he remained Monday in critical condition, said hospital spokesman Ben Drew.